Dufferin County Council has approved Dufferin County’s 2024 Budget.

The 2024 Budget was developed with a focus on moving the County’s 2023 to 2026 Strategic Plan forward, as well as on forecasted provincial and federal program requirements and ensuring the required infrastructure and services are in place to meet the needs of Dufferin’s growing community.

The Budget addresses inflationary pressures, capacity constraints and responsible asset management. The County continues to tackle many challenges present in other communities like the impacts of climate change, housing affordability, community safety, employee well-being, and racism and discrimination to ensure a high quality of life for taxpayers. This requires staff resources and investments, both of which are reflected in the Budget.

Dufferin County Budget by the numbers

• The total tax levy to support the delivery of services is $47,469,913.
• The approved 2024 Budget will result in a net taxpayer impact of 4.0 per cent on the County’s portion of the tax bill, or an increase of $15.36 per $100,000 of assessment based on MPAC’s assessment of a property.
• The levy includes a $7,513,497 capital investment towards the purchase or replacement of assets, strengthening the County’s financial position and preparing for future contingencies and operating, capital and special initiatives.

Budget highlights

• A focus on applying Equity and Climate Lenses across the entire County administration through its day-to-day operations, decision making processes and policy design.
• Investments in aging and new infrastructure include projects like bridge rehabilitation, the resurfacing of Dufferin County Road 124, the upgrading of County wayfinding signs and electrical upgrades at the Primrose Operations Centre to support electric vehicle charging stations.
• Consultancy work is set to commence on the south operations centre in 2024, including an optimal location analysis, conceptual site plan and cost estimates.

Arriving at the levy
The tax levy is the amount of money required to be raised from property taxes to fund the business of the County after applying all other sources of revenue, including internal transfers from reserves on hand. In Ontario, municipalities must approve a balanced budget. The tax levy, plus all other sources of revenue, must equal the total estimated expenses.

• Balanced budget: expenditures=revenues
• Tax levy required: projected expenditures–projected revenue

More information on the County’s 2024 Budget, including County division overviews and Budget highlights, can be found at www.dufferincounty.ca.

QUOTES
“Dufferin County’s 2024 Budget will support our growing community with investments in climate action and digital modernization, upgrades and maintenance on important capital infrastructure, and a focus on using our Climate and Equity Lenses to ensure we are making decisions with social and environmental considerations in alignment with our long-term objectives. The Budget was developed with a focus on moving out ambitious Strategic Plan forward, and will allow us to continue to build a community that grows together.”

– Darren White, Warden, Dufferin County

“Dufferin County is committed to providing accessible, supportive and responsive services for all taxpayers to ensure a thriving, equitable and resilient community. The 2024 Budget outlines a plan to do this, so that we can accomplish our goals and achieve the vision of our Strategic Plan. Ongoing inflation continues to impact the Budget, and like other municipalities, the County is subject to uncertainty around ongoing legislative changes from other levels of government. But, together with our partners, we will continue to develop practical, innovative and local solutions to create a community where everyone can thrive.”

– Sonya Pritchard, Chief Administrative Officer, Dufferin County

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca